The World at a Crossroads: UN Rights Chief Volker Türk Issues Bold Warning at HRC61

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Geneva, February 23, 2026 — In a powerful opening to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk didn't mince words. Addressing a world fractured by "fierce competition for power," Türk’s speech was part global alert, part manifesto for a new era of grassroots justice.

A Return to "Supremacy"

Türk warned that we are seeing a "normalized" use of force and a resurgence of "domination and supremacy" at levels unseen for 80 years. From the devastating conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine to the "survival mode" of the UN itself due to funding cuts, the message was clear: the international rules-based order is under a full-scale assault.

The Power of the Mothers: Sri Lanka to Argentina

One of the most moving segments of the address was Türk’s tribute to the Mothers of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka.

He used their long-standing struggle as the ultimate proof that the demand for dignity is "innate" and "unshakeable." By grouping the Sri Lankan mothers with the iconic Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina and the mothers of Syria, Türk sent a clear message:

●       Justice is Global: Local struggles for the missing are not isolated incidents; they are part of a universal human thread.

●       A Call for Accountability: Mentioning Sri Lanka in the 2026 High-Level segment signals that the international community has not forgotten the families still waiting for answers after nearly two decades.

●       Resistance as a Counterbalance: Türk framed these mothers as the "quiet majority" whose persistence provides a necessary check against top-down autocratic trends.

Key Highlights from the Speech

●       The Global Alliance for Human Rights: Türk announced a new multi-stakeholder coalition—including scientists, artists, and civil society—to fight "top-down domination."

●       Tech & Environment: He issued a sharp critique of "tech billionaires" and corporate interests that "ravage the environment" for short-term profit.

●       Gaza & The West Bank: A firm warning against "ethnic cleansing" and a call to protect the two-state solution "being stripped away in broad daylight."

"Human rights are not political currency, and they are not up for grabs."

— Volker Türk, February 2026

Watch or Read the Full Statement

●       Read the full transcript: OHCHR Official Statement

●       Watch the session: UN Web TV - HRC 61st Session Opening

Follow our blog for more updates on the 61st Human Rights Council session and specific reports on Sri Lankan accountability.

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